Needle Cover Having Rough Surface

Abstract

A needle cover for an injection device includes a needle cover body having a cavity therein. The cavity configured to receive a distal end of an injection device therein and having at least a portion configured such that, when the needle cover is disposed on an injection device, the portion at least partially engages with a distal end of the injection device. The inner surface defining the portions has a surface roughness extending in a range from 2 μm to 12 μm, inclusive. An injective device having such a needle cover and a method of forming the needle cover are also disclosed.

1 . A needle cover for an injection device, comprising:
 a needle cover body having a longitudinal axis (A) extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the needle cover body having a cavity extending into the needle cover body from the proximal end thereof, the cavity defined by an inner surface of the needle cover body, the cavity configured to receive a distal end of an injection device therein, the cavity comprising:   a first portion having a width measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A); and   a second portion located distally relative to the first portion and having a width measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) that is less than the width of the first portion, the first portion and the second portion configured such that, when the needle cover is disposed on an injection device, the second portion is at least partially engaged with a distal end of the injection device;   wherein the inner surface of the needle cover body defining the second portion has a surface roughness extending in a range from 2 μm to 12 μm, inclusive.   
     
     
         2 . The needle cover of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface defining the second portion comprises a plurality of reliefs extending into the needle cover body. 
     
     
         3 . The needle cover of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of reliefs are distributed along a length of the second portion and about a perimeter of the second portion. 
     
     
         4 . The needle cover of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of reliefs are randomly distributed along the inner surface of the needle cover body. 
     
     
         5 . The needle cover of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of reliefs are orderly distributed along the inner surface of the needle cover body. 
     
     
         6 . The needle cover of  claim 1 , wherein the needle cover body comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         7 . The needle cover of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity further comprises a third portion located distally relative to the second portion, the third portion configured such that, when the needle cover is disposed on the injection device, the third portion is sealingly engaged with a needle of the injection device. 
     
     
         8 . The needle cover of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the needle cover body of the first portion is a smooth surface, the smooth surface having a surface roughness greater than or equal to 0 μm and less than 2 μm. 
     
     
         9 . The needle cover of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the needle cover body of the first portion comprises a plurality of features different from the plurality of reliefs-such that the inner surface of the first portion has a surface roughness extending in a range from 2 μm to 100 μm, inclusive. 
     
     
         10 . The needle cover of  claim 1 , further comprising a rigid shield in which the needle cover body is disposed. 
     
     
         11 . An injection device comprising:
 a syringe comprising a barrel having a medicament fluid disposed therein, a hub disposed at a distal end of the barrel, and a needle coupled to a distal end of the hub; and   the needle cover according to  claim 1  disposed on a distal end of the syringe such that at least a part of the inner surface of the needle cover body is in contact with and sealingly engaged with the needle and an exterior surface of the distal end of the syringe.   
     
     
         12 . The injection device of  claim 11 , wherein the barrel is made of glass. 
     
     
         13 . The injection device of  claim 11 , wherein a pull out force for removing the needle cover from the syringe is in a range from 7 N to 16 N, preferably 7-10 or 10-15 N, when measured between 0 and 90 days after the needle cover is subjected to a sterilization process. 
     
     
         14 . A method of forming the needle cover according to  claim 1 , comprising injection molding the needle cover body using a mold having a surface roughness in a range from 2 μm to 12 μm, inclusive.